Pad Computer

ABSTRACT

A computer can include a high-resolution color display, built-in keypad, wireless LAN connection, hi-fidelity audio system, and a multi-gigabyte disk drive. The screen can be formed in a top face of a computer and a keypad can be a split on opposite sides of the screen. The computer can also have various other controls and features, including function keys, scroll wheel, game D-pad, stylus, and fingerprint reader. Speaker covers for built-in speakers can be provided in the top face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C., §120 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/977,480, filed Oct. 29,2004 and entitled PAD COMPUTER, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/515,753, filed Oct. 30, 2003,which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Computers can come in a variety of sizes and configurations, from largedesktop units to laptops to smaller sizes. Personal digital assistants(PDAs) and other smaller devices also can have much of the functionalityof computers. Computers have various configurations of screens, keys,and other features.

SUMMARY

The computers described here can be smaller than a currentlyconventional laptop computers, but can have about any size. They canalso include many useful features, including a high-resolution colordisplay, built-in keypad, wireless LAN connection, hi-fidelity audiosystem, and a multi-gigabyte disk drive. The keypad can be a splitkeypad on opposite sides of a screen formed in a top face of a computer.The computer can also have various other controls and features,including function keys, scroll wheel, game D-pad, stylus, andfingerprint reader. Speakers can also be built into the top face.

The computers as described can be self-contained and could be a user'sonly computer, usable for processes such as for researching and writingschool assignments, drawing, painting, online shopping, reading news,chatting, e-mail, listening to music, and watching movies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the computer of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are close-up views of portions of the computer shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a computer 10 has a housing 12 with bumpers 14, 16around the edges to give the housing a rugged look and to provide shockprotection. The housing has a top face and an LCD screen 18 formed inthe top face. LCD screen 18 can be provided in portrait orientation asshown here and in application Ser. No. 29/192,829, filed Oct. 30, 2003,or in a landscape orientation, as also shown in application Ser. No.29/209,316, filed Jul. 14, 2004 (both of these design patentapplications are incorporated herein by reference). The screen has acold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlight with an inverter. Screen18 can be laterally centered in the housing and can extend for most ofthe vertical dimension of the housing. The screen can be a resistive4-wire touch screen. The housing can be made of smooth bright-coloredplastic and/or metal.

The computer can have a fold-over cover (not shown) to protect the LCDscreen. The cover can screw onto the housing but iscustomer-replaceable. The cover can be made with a user's choice ofmaterials: metal, plastic, rubber, spandex, leather, etc. The cover isconvenient to use, ensuring it is used regularly to protect the LCD.Users can have a whole collection of covers that they pop on and off tosuit their mood or fashion.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the computer is balanced so it rests easily inthe user's hands when using a built-in keyboard or and does not readilytip when using a stand. The keypad is in the top face of the housing andpreferably has a full QWERTY keyboard plus function keys. As also shownin FIGS. 2-4, the keypad can be split to include a left keypad 20between a left edge of the screen and a left edge of the housing, and aright keypad 22 between the right edge of the screen and the right edgeof the housing, and thus on opposite sides of the screen. Generalpurpose function keys 24, 26 can be provided on one or both sides, andspecific function keys 28 and 30 can be provided on each side for musiccontrol, screen brightness, volume control, or other controls.

The computer controls can also include a game controller-style directionpad (D-Pad) 36, a thumbwheel 38 that is easily accessible when using thebuilt-in keyboard, and can include a fingerprint reader 40 (including,for example, a thumbprint), or may have some other biological detectorfor detecting the presence of a particular user to allow use of thecomputer by that user. Such a detector is not necessary, and otherprotections, such as password protection, could be used. The computercould also be shared among multiple users, such as in an educationalenvironment, in which case the computer can sense the user biologicallyand automatically configure itself for the particular sensed user, orconfigure in one of a number of ways for one of a group of users.

The computer housing can be designed to be water and grit resistant,meaning that an occasional splash of water or soft drink will not seepinto the case and ruin the electronics. Using it at the beach or pool ispossible, though it may not necessarily survive a full dunking. The LCDand keyboard have basic rubber gaskets and any external openings forjacks are covered with rubber plugs.

While a keypad and touch screen are preferably built-in, an optionalfull-size keyboard and mouse can connect wirelessly via Bluetoothtechnology. Internet and LAN connectivity is preferably wireless viabuilt-in WiFi (802.11b). Printers can also be connected wirelessly viaeither Bluetooth or WiFi. For compatibility with existing wired devices,such as cameras, scanners, and printers, a USB port (e.g., 1.1) is alsoprovided.

The top face of the housing can also include one or more covers forspeakers 42, 44. Additional outlets can be provided for a card slot 46and a headphone jack 48.

A stylus holder 50 for holding a stylus can also be provided in the topface of the computer.

The computer preferably does not have any external antennas or otherdangling parts that can break off if treated roughly.

One set of exemplary dimensions is approximately 10″ in length, 9.3″wide, and less than 1″ thick, e.g., about 0.8″ thick. It is designed tobe durable, and able to survive being dropped on the floor, tossed in abackpack, and splashed. Other dimensions are possible, but it ispreferably smaller than a typical current laptop, but larger than a PDA.

The computer preferably runs on the Linux operating system and Java, andshould be reliable and secure. The Java run-time environment is designedto allow users to download and run dozens of programs.

The environment should also be private—the information on the computercan be encrypted and it is preferably unlocked only when a test is met,such as the owner's thumbprint.

The computer is designed to use low-cost, low-power components. Sincelong battery life (at least 8 hours) is desired, the system is designedto power on and off components as needed.

The system can include a WiFi/802.11 b PC card with housing-mounteddiversity antennas, Bluetooth wireless radio chip with embedded ROMconnected via dedicated interface, a shock-mounted PC card disk drive,audio CODEC, audio amp, built-in stereo speakers and microphone, ministereo headphone, and microphone jacks (some of which are shown above).

Further components that can be added or provided include FM Radio, WiFiwireless LAN chipset, disk drive, digital camera module and connectorwith custom FPGA controller, built-in or snap-in power adapter/charger,compact Flash Card slot, V.90 modem and RJ-11 jack, analog joystick, andadditional function buttons (e.g., more game controller buttons).

A slot-loading CD-RW/DVD that optionally snaps on the back of thecomputer can be provided. The CD/DVD backpack can be added or removedwithout powering down the computer, so it should use a plug & playinterface, such as USB. The backpack may also require an additionalinternal battery to ensure at least 2 hours of DVD playing time.

The angle and curve of the housing and the angle of the keypads relativeto the edges of the housing are useful for the feel and ergonomics ofthe computer, in addition to providing an attractive and ornamentalappearance. The lateral sides are preferable bowed outwardly (concave)and the top and bottom sides are bowed inwardly (convex). By splittingthe keypad and locating it in the upper half of the housing at theproper position in the curve, the computer remains balanced in theuser's hands while the user is typing, scrolling, or gaming.

The computer is preferably built from a two-piece injection molded andmachined plastic housing. The two front side panels are covered withcustomer-replaceable and customizable faceplates. The edges of thehousing can include soft elastomeric plastic grips that also protect theedges of the housing. The LCD is also protected with an elastomericbezel.

Many details are provided but numerous modifications can be made. It isexpected that improvements will be made with future hardware as itbecomes available. In addition, not all the components set out above areneeded; for example, the keyboard could have fewer keys, certaininterfaces and ports could be omitted, and other changes could be madethat could add features, or reduce features and cost.

1. A computer, comprising: a microprocessor; a multi-gigabyte hard disk drive; a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top face being of unitary construction, wherein the left and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less than one inch thick; a display screen formed in the top face, wherein the top face surrounds the display screen, the display screen positioned between the left and right sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen and the right side and the screen, the display screen having a landscape orientation and extending for most of the vertical dimension of the housing, the display screen comprising a touch screen; a QWERTY keyboard having some of the QWERTY keys in the first region and some of the QWERTY keys in the second region; a plurality of additional input devices, including: function keys for volume control; a menu button; a joystick; a microphone; and a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing; a plurality of networking devices, including a Bluetooth wireless radio chip and a Wifi PC card capable of providing 802.11 b connectivity; a USB 2.0 port; a flash memory card slot; stereo speakers; and a headphone jack.
 2. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint reader.
 3. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a digital camera.
 4. The computer of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises elastomeric plastic grips.
 5. The computer of claim 1, further comprising an interface for a DVD drive.
 6. The computer of claim 1, wherein the top face has an upper half and a lower half, and wherein the QWERTY keyboard is completely located in the upper half of the housing.
 7. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a circular area within the top face and positioned between the QWERTY keys in one of the first and second regions, the circular area comprising a user input device.
 8. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint reader; a digital camera; elastomeric plastic grips; an interface for a DVD drive; and a circular area within the top face and positioned between the QWERTY keys in one of the first and second regions, the circular area comprising a user input device; and further wherein the top face has an upper half and a lower half, and wherein the QWERTY keyboard is completely located in the upper half of the housing.
 9. A computer, comprising: a microprocessor; a hard disk drive; a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top face being of unitary construction; a display screen formed in the top face and positioned between the left and right sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen and the right side and the screen; a QWERTY keyboard having some of the QWERTY keys in the first region and some of the QWERTY keys in the second region; a first circular area within the top face and positioned beneath the QWERTY keys in the first region, the first circular area comprising a first user input device; and a second circular area within the top face and positioned beneath the QWERTY keys in the second region, second circular area comprising a second user input device.
 10. The computer of claim 9, wherein the hard disk drive has a multi-gigabyte capacity.
 11. The computer of claim 9, wherein the left and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less than one inch thick
 12. The computer of claim 9, wherein the display screen has a landscape orientation, wherein the top face surrounds the display screen, and wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing.
 13. The computer of claim 9, further including at least one of the following additional input devices: function keys for volume control, a menu button, a joystick, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, and a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing.
 14. The computer of claim 9, further including at least one of a Bluetooth wireless radio chip, a WiFi PC card, a USB 2.0 port, and a flash memory card slot.
 15. The computer of claim 9, further including at least one of stereo speakers and a headphone jack.
 16. The computer of claim 9, wherein the display screen comprises a touch screen.
 17. The computer of claim 9, wherein the hard disk drive has a multi-gigabyte capacity; wherein the left and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less than one inch thick; wherein the display screen has a landscape orientation, and wherein the top face surrounds the display screen; wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing; further including the following additional input devices: function keys for volume control, a menu button, a joystick, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, and a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing; further including a Bluetooth wireless radio chip and a Wifi PC card; further including a USB 2.0 port; further including a flash memory card slot; further including at least one of stereo speakers and a headphone jack; and wherein the display screen comprises a touch screen.
 18. A computer, comprising: a microprocessor; a hard disk drive; a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top face being of unitary construction; a display screen formed in the top face and positioned between the left and right sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen and the right side and the screen; keys for user input in the first region; keys for user input in the second region; and movable user controls other than keys in the top face.
 19. The computer of claim 18, wherein the keys for user input in the first and second regions comprise keys of a QWERTY keyboard.
 20. The computer of claim 18, wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing.
 21. The computer of claim 18, wherein the keys for user input in the first and second regions comprise keys of a QWERTY keyboard, and wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing. 